Constitution Day in Poland
Quick Facts
Constitution Day is an annual public holiday in Poland on May 3.Local names
| Name | Language |
|---|---|
| Święto Konstytucji Trzeciego Maja | Polish |
| Constitution Day | English |
Constitution Day 2013
Friday, May 3, 2013Constitution Day 2014
Saturday, May 3, 2014List of dates for other years
Many people in Poland celebrate Constitution Day (Święto Konstytucji 3 Maja or Święto Narodowe Trzeciego Maja), which commemorates the enactment of the Polish Constitution that came into effect on May 3, 1791.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw - it is a popular place to visit in Poland on Constitution Day.
©iStockphoto.com/scubabartek
What do people do?
Constitution Day is part of a holiday season known as Majówka, which also includes the May 1/Labor Day holiday. It is celebrated with military parades, spring concerts and family picnics. Many people also gather at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Grób Nieznanego Żołnierza) at the Piłsudski Square in Warsaw. The monument is dedicated to unknown soldiers who gave their lives for Poland.
Public life
Constitution Day is an official public holiday in Poland, so schools, banks, government offices and most private businesses are closed. There is a trade prohibition on public holidays in Poland. People intending to travel via public transport during public holidays must check with the public transit authorities on any changes to time schedules.
Background
On May 3, 1791, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth’s constitution was adopted. It was the first constitution in modern Europe and second in the world, following the American one. It was a significant achievement of the Polish Enlightenment thinkers.
May 3 was established as a holiday only days after the constitution was passed by the Grand Sejm (Polish Parliament). It was later suspended for many years due to the country’s partitioning, but was reinstituted after Poland regained its freedom in 1918. After World War II, in 1946, the communist authorities banned the holiday’s public celebration. The holiday was officially cancelled in 1951. Since 1990 the May 3 holiday has again been celebrated as an official statutory holiday in Poland.
Constitution Day Observances
| Weekday | Date | Year | Name | Holiday type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu | May 3 | 1990 | Constitution Day | National holiday |
| Fri | May 3 | 1991 | Constitution Day | National holiday |
| Sun | May 3 | 1992 | Constitution Day | National holiday |
| Mon | May 3 | 1993 | Constitution Day | National holiday |
| Tue | May 3 | 1994 | Constitution Day | National holiday |
| Wed | May 3 | 1995 | Constitution Day | National holiday |
| Fri | May 3 | 1996 | Constitution Day | National holiday |
| Sat | May 3 | 1997 | Constitution Day | National holiday |
| Sun | May 3 | 1998 | Constitution Day | National holiday |
| Mon | May 3 | 1999 | Constitution Day | National holiday |
| Wed | May 3 | 2000 | Constitution Day | National holiday |
| Thu | May 3 | 2001 | Constitution Day | National holiday |
| Fri | May 3 | 2002 | Constitution Day | National holiday |
| Sat | May 3 | 2003 | Constitution Day | National holiday |
| Mon | May 3 | 2004 | Constitution Day | National holiday |
| Tue | May 3 | 2005 | Constitution Day | National holiday |
| Wed | May 3 | 2006 | Constitution Day | National holiday |
| Thu | May 3 | 2007 | Constitution Day | National holiday |
| Sat | May 3 | 2008 | Constitution Day | National holiday |
| Sun | May 3 | 2009 | Constitution Day | National holiday |
| Mon | May 3 | 2010 | Constitution Day | National holiday |
| Tue | May 3 | 2011 | Constitution Day | National holiday |
| Thu | May 3 | 2012 | Constitution Day | National holiday |
| Fri | May 3 | 2013 | Constitution Day | National holiday |
| Sat | May 3 | 2014 | Constitution Day | National holiday |
| Sun | May 3 | 2015 | Constitution Day | National holiday |
| Tue | May 3 | 2016 | Constitution Day | National holiday |
| Wed | May 3 | 2017 | Constitution Day | National holiday |
| Thu | May 3 | 2018 | Constitution Day | National holiday |
| Fri | May 3 | 2019 | Constitution Day | National holiday |
| Sun | May 3 | 2020 | Constitution Day | National holiday |
Related holiday
- Labor Day / May Day ―Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Other holidays in May 2013 in Poland
- Labor Day / May Day ―Wednesday, May 1, 2013
- Whit Sunday ―Sunday, May 19, 2013
- Mother's Day ―Sunday, May 26, 2013
- Corpus Christi ―Thursday, May 30, 2013
Other calendars
- Perpetual yearly calendar - make yearly calendar for any year
- Perpetual monthly calendar - shows only one month at a time
- Custom calendar - make customized calendars